Globally, there is a resounding push towards a circular economy and “Just Transition”. Responding to the inevitable change to industry, the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) hosted a green skills development workshop at the 5th Biennial Industrial Efficiency Conference.

At the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit, 46 countries committed to support a just ecological transition by formulating national plans for a just transition and creating decent and green jobs. However, as just transition becomes increasingly prevalent across the globe, the South African industry and her youth are left wanting and struggling to, in most cases, make the relevant shift.

To help breach the gap, the workshop reflected on the skills required for just transition, the move to a sustainable economy, and the inclusion of marginalised sectors or society and industry.

“Green transition or environmental transition can actually lead to the creation of a lot of jobs if we take the right measures and approaches at the level of policies and strategies,” explains Alice Vozza, ILO Decent Work Team for Eastern & Southern Africa. Speaking on behalf of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Vozza delivered a presentation titled, “Just Transition and Skills for Green Jobs initiatives in Eastern and Southern Africa.” To access presentation visit: www.ncpc.co.za.

Thought leaders from the GIZ, National Business Initiative, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) joined Vozza in reflecting upon their organisations’ programme on skills development and the green economy. The presentations provided the delegates with insights into available opportunities and developments in new skills sets and learning platforms that can assist industry to transition to efficient ways of doing business.

As an important catalyst that facilitates the demand and supply of skills that support the transitioning towards a circular economy, the NCPC-SA has, over a 12-year period, developed and offered introductory, end-user and expert level training in the fields of:

• Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP)
• Energy Management Systems (EnMS)
• Energy Management 101
• Energy Performance Measurement Indicators (EnPMI)
• Power Quality Principles
• Water Efficiency (under development)
• Sustainable Finance
• Renewable Energy Courses
• Biogas
• Solar Thermal (under development)
• Energy Systems Optimisation (ESO):
• Compressed Air Systems, Motor Systems, Pump Systems, Steam Systems, Fans systems, and Large scale Cooling and Industrial Refrigeration Systems.

The NCPC-SA has established itself as a leader in the green economy-training field. “We have become global players and global leaders winning international awards,” celebrates Ndivhuho Raphulu NCPC-SA Director.

From 2012 to 22, the NCPC-SA has trained more than 8 646 professionals, certified 401 experts and 252 local trainers. The Project registered seven National Qualifications Framework occupational qualifications and created 13 original training courses.

The green skills development workshop was held on day two of the 5th Biennial Industrial Efficiency Conference. Delegates attending the conference onsite at the CSIR were joined by online participants from all over the world. Held every two years, the conference has established itself as a benchmark for platforms that equip and highlight best practice in South Africa’s circular economy transition.

Visit the NCPC-SA website (www.ncpc.co.za) for information on the conference, training programme and services.